Q4 2023 Market Review If you prefer to listen, you can click below and follow along with our audio recording of this review. Highlights After the pullback in the third quarter, equity and fixed-income markets performed strongly during the fourth quarter. The gains during the quarter pushed all major asset classes to positive returns for…
Highlights After three straight quarters of positive returns in equity markets, stocks pulled back during the third quarter of 2023. While gaining meaningfully over the prior year, US, international developed, and emerging markets were all down roughly 3-4% for the quarter. The recent market performance continues to be heavily influenced by interest rates and the…
Highlights After a choppy start to the second quarter, stocks gained meaningfully in June. This marks the third straight quarter of positive returns for stocks, both in the US and internationally. Reversing the trend from last quarter, the US stock market led, followed by developed international, with emerging markets trailing. While fixed-income markets pulled back…
If you think money can’t buy happiness, you’re not spending it right. At least, that is the conclusion of researchers Elizabeth Dunn (University of British Columbia) and Michael Norton (Harvard), two rising stars in the world of behavioral science, authors of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending. In the book, Dunn and Norton provide an…
Individuals and retirement planning experts alike are recognizing that a successful and satisfying retirement experience depends on more than a healthy nest egg. In fact, retirement should be thought of as a major life transition that deserves thought and preparation in all areas of life. (I like to provide you with a few options for…
Highlights Despite a large amount of negative news in the headlines during the quarter, including turmoil in the banking sector highlighted by the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and the collapse of Credit Suisse, 2023 started strongly across major asset classes. Stocks and bonds, both domestically and abroad, extended their rebound from last year’s third-quarter…
You can consider this blog/vlog entry a mini-workshop for those of you looking for a framework to help guide your philanthropic intentions. I have had several client families in the same predicament: they’ve saved diligently, and through our work together, we ensure that their nest egg will support them to and through retirement. They have…
What to do With Inheritance What to do With Inheritance: It’s Practice and Emotional Sorting out what to do with inheritance dollars often involves a combination of emotional fortitude and practical strategy. In this video, I share some key questions, the financial implications for planning, and share several resources to learn more as you determine…
How Do You Find a Financial Advisor? I recently spoke to our local Rotary Club on the financial industry, roles within it, and a few tips to answer the question, “How do you find a financial advisor?” Much of the information was new to the people in the room. It reminded me just how unsuccessful…
I recently completed the AARP BankSafe Training, an initiative recognized nationally and internationally as a leading resource for the financial industry in preventing financial exploitation. The course provided several client scenarios, quizzes, and resources around handling each. Here are the three main takeaways I thought you should know about: 1. Victims of financial exploitation typically…